Ammonium Hydroxide Formula: Overview, Derivation, Reactions

Ammonium hydroxide is actually the solution of ammonia gas in water. Hence, it is also known as ammonia solution, ammonia water, aqueous ammonia, etc. Ammonium hydroxide is the most common commercial form of ammonia. The Ammonium Hydroxide Formula is articulated as \({\rm{N}}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{4}}}{\rm{OH}}.\)

It is also denoted by the symbol \({\rm{N}}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{3}}}\left( {{\rm{aq}}} \right){\rm{.}}\) In this article, we are going to discuss more about ammonium hydroxide. Scroll down to learn more about Ammonium Hydroxide Formula!

Ammonium Hydroxide Formula: Overview

The chemical formula of ammonium hydroxide is \({\rm{N}}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{4}}}{\rm{OH}}.\) It can be represented as,

The molar mass of ammonium hydroxide is \(35.04{\rm{ g/mol}}.\)

Ammonium Hydroxide Chemical Formula Derivation

The chemical formula of a compound represents the number of atoms of each element present in one molecule of the compound. The chemical formula of ammonium hydroxide can be derived using the Criss-cross method.

In the criss-cross method, if we know the valency of each element of a compound, we can easily write its formula. The symbol of the positive part is written to the left-hand side and the symbol of the negative part to its right. The valency of each element is placed as a subscript on the side of the symbol of other elements. Subscript 1 is not often written. 

Ammonium hydroxide contains ammoinium \(\left( {{\rm{N}}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{4}}}^{\rm{ + }}} \right)\) and hydroxyl \(\left( {{\rm{O}}{{\rm{H}}^{\rm{ – }}}} \right)\) radical. The valency of ammonium radical is one and that of hydroxyl radical is one. Therefore, by criss-crossing the valency numbers, we will get the chemical formula \({\rm{N}}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{4}}}{\rm{OH}}.\) It can be represented as,

Preparation of Ammonium Hydroxide

Ammonium hydroxide can be prepared by saturating ammonia gas in water. That is, ammonia \(\left( {{\rm{N}}{{\rm{H}}_3}} \right)\) reacts with water to form ammonium hydroxide \(\left( {{\rm{N}}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{4}}}{\rm{OH}}} \right).\)
The net ionic equation for the reaction can be given as,

Properties of Ammonium Hydroxide

The properties of ammonium hydroxide are as follows:

1. Ammonium hydroxide appears as a colourless liquid.
2. It has a fishy and highly pungent smell.
3. It is a miscible liquid. That is, ammonium hydroxide is soluble in water.

Chemical Properties of Ammonium Hydroxide

Ammonium hydroxide is a weak base. It is partially dissociated into ions in aqueous solutions. Therefore, it acts as a weak electrolyte too.

Reactions of Ammonium Hydroxide

The various reactions of ammonium hydroxide are explained below:

1. Reaction of Ammonium Hydroxide with Sulphuric Acid

Ammonium hydroxide reacts with sulphuric acid to form ammonium sulphate and water. The chemical equation for the reaction can be given as,

\(2{\rm{N}}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{4}}}{\rm{OH + }}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{2}}}{\rm{S}}{{\rm{O}}_{\rm{4}}} \to \;{\left( {{\rm{N}}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{4}}}} \right)_{\rm{2}}}{\rm{S}}{{\rm{O}}_{\rm{4}}}{\rm{ + 2}}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{2}}}{\rm{O}}\)

The ammonium sulphate formed here is majorly used as a fertilizer.

2. Reaction of Ammonium Hydroxide with Hydrochloric Acid

Ammonium chloride is formed when ammonium hydroxide reacts with hydrochloric acid. The chemical equation for the reaction can be given as,

\({\rm{N}}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{4}}}{\rm{OH + HCl}} \to {\rm{N}}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{4}}}{\rm{Cl + }}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{2}}}{\rm{O}}\)

3. Reaction of Ammonium Hydroxide with Copper Sulphate

Ammonium hydroxide reacts with copper sulphate to form copper hydroxide and ammonium sulphate. The chemical equation for the reaction can be given as,

\({\rm{CuS}}{{\rm{O}}_{\rm{4}}}{\rm{ +  2N}}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{4}}}{\rm{OH }} \to {\rm{ Cu}}{\left( {{\rm{OH}}} \right)_{\rm{2}}}{\rm{ +  }}{\left( {{\rm{N}}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{4}}}} \right)_{\rm{2}}}{\rm{S}}{{\rm{O}}_{\rm{4}}}\)

The above reaction is an example of a double displacement reaction.

4. Reaction of Ammonium Hydroxide with Ferric Chloride

Ammonium hydroxide reacts with ferric chloride to form a brown precipitate of ferric hydroxide. The chemical equation for the reaction can be given as,

\({\rm{FeC}}{{\rm{l}}_3}{\rm{ + 3N}}{{\rm{H}}_4}{\rm{OH}} \to {\rm{Fe}}{\left( {{\rm{OH}}} \right)_3}{\rm{ + 3N}}{{\rm{H}}_4}{\rm{Cl}}\)

5. Reaction of Ammonium Hydroxide with Ferrous Sulphate

Ammonium hydroxide reacts with ferrous sulphate to give ferrous hydroxide and ammonium sulphate. The chemical equation for the reaction can be given as,

\({\rm{FeS}}{{\rm{O}}_4}{\rm{ + 2N}}{{\rm{H}}_4}{\rm{OH}} \to {\rm{Fe}}{\left( {{\rm{OH}}} \right)_2}{\rm{ + }}\left( {{\rm{N}}{{\rm{H}}_4}} \right){\rm{2S}}{{\rm{O}}_4}\)

6. Reaction of Ammonium Hydroxide with Carbonic Acid

Ammonium hydroxide reacts with carbonic acid to form ammonium bicarbonate and water. The chemical equation for the reaction can be given as,

\({\rm{N}}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{4}}}{\rm{OH + }}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{2}}}{\rm{C}}{{\rm{O}}_{\rm{3}}} \to {\rm{N}}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{4}}}{\rm{HC}}{{\rm{O}}_{\rm{3}}}{\rm{ + }}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{2}}}{\rm{O}}\)

Study Everything About Ammonia Formula

Uses of Ammonium Hydroxide

Ammonium hydroxide has got many uses. They include:

1. Ammonium hydroxide as such is used as a household cleaner. It is also used as an ingredient in several cleaning agents.
2. It is used as a precursor for alkyl amines.
3. Ammonium hydroxide is used in water treatment.
4. Ammonium hydroxide is used as an acidity regulator to lower the acid levels in some food.
5. It is used as an effective antimicrobial agent because of its pH controlling abilities.
6. Ammonium hydroxide is used in darkening furniture. That is, certain wood containing tannic acid can be kept in ammonium hydroxide solution to give dark colour to the wood.
7. Ammonium hydroxide is used to treat straw. This makes the straw more edible for cattle.
8. In laboratory, ammonium hydroxide is used in qualitative analysis as a base and a complexant.
9. It is used for the manufacture of products such as plastic, fertilizer, rayon and rubber.
10. It is also used as a purifying agent and a sanitizer.

Summary

We have now understood that ammonium hydroxide is actually a solution of ammonia gas in water. Its chemical formula is given as \({\rm{N}}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{4}}}{\rm{OH}}.\) It is also denoted as \({\rm{N}}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{3}}}\left( {{\rm{aq}}} \right){\rm{.}}\) It is a highly pungent-smelling colourless liquid. As ammonium hydroxide is the solution of ammonia gas in water, it can also be called an ammonia solution. It is widely used as a cleaning agent. In this article, we have explained more about ammonium hydroxide: The preparation, properties and other uses of ammonium hydroxide.

FAQs on Ammonium Hydroxide

Q.1. What is the formula of ammonium hydroxide?
Ans: Ammonium hydroxide is an aqueous solution of ammonia gas in water. Its chemical formula is \({\rm{N}}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{4}}}{\rm{OH}}.\) It is also denoted as \({\rm{N}}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{3}}}\left( {{\rm{aq}}} \right){\rm{.}}\)

Q.2. What is ammonia hydroxide used for?
Ans: Ammonium hydroxide is widely used as a cleaning agent in households and in several industrial cleaners. It is also used in making fertilizers, furniture darkening, etc.

Q.3. Is ammonium hydroxide an acid?
Ans: No, ammonium hydroxide is a weak base. A weak base partially dissociates into ions in aqueous solutions.

Q.4. Is ammonium hydroxide solid or liquid?
Ans: Ammonium hydroxide is a colourless liquid with a highly pungent smell.

Q.5. What is ammonium hydroxide made of?
Ans: Ammonium hydroxide is actually the solution of ammonia gas in water. Hence, it is also known as ammonia solution. Its chemical formula is \({\rm{N}}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{4}}}{\rm{OH}}.\)

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